In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 22):

With nobody in the room but himself at the moment, Gangnam availed himself of some water from the refrigerator. Grabbing two bottles, he chugged one down and discarded it in the recycling, once empty. Then, he cracked into the other, sipping slowly and making his way to the control room to watch, monitoring the ongoing dogfight on video screens.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 22):

Fokker puts a 20 dollar bill down on the console in front of him. “Twenty bucks says Archer beats those two.”
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

In reply to Roy Fokker (msg # 24):

Pak heard the CAG's deep and resonant voice even before he saw the tall, blond westerner. The bet was brash. A good pilot was at a severe disadvantage at two-on-one. He had not observed Archer's performance closely, but guessed he had similar skills and abilities as himself, and the enemy alike. Archer would nearly need be a peer to the CAG himself to pull it off.

In his mind, for the briefest of a second's fraction, he thought of laying his money down. "Poor form to bet against a wingman. Bad for morale," he thought to himself. "All the same, best not bet on such a longshot..."

The female Major in the room, also a pilot, and by the all but dried sweat stains on her flight suit, has likewise been in the 'box' this day, looks over as Pak enters the area and acknowledges his presence with a nod. She is tall, at least 175cm, and fit, given the muscle tone of her arms, exposed by the rolled up sleeves of her grey and black flight-suit. Her blonde hair is tied up in a high pony tail and her eyes are a piercing grey.

Her flight suit has a few patches. One of which is the Finnish Flag, another a yellow squadron patch *.

She looks down at the American bill placed on the console by Captain (Navy) Fokker. She weighs the odds. On the one hand a combat pilot with multiple years of combat experience under his belt. On the other a pair of less seasoned but still highly capable pilots. There were other factors to consider but those put side by side resulted in a wash. Then there was of course Fokker's bet. No doubt he felt it a way to make some easy money. She looked back up at the screens. Well, if they can't work out how to down a single target, regardless of experience, this would go a long way in helping that process along to make the next time easier. She mused to herself.

And then, sometimes one just needs to do the sociable thing just because it's sociable.

"I'll see the wager Kommodori." She says in a lightly accented mezzo soprano, using the Finnish word for his rank. She unfortunately did not bring any Euro with her to the sim that day, but, she was good for it. She is a Finn after all.

---

* http://robotechrisingsun.wdfil...ex/No11SqdnPatch.jpg
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

Those watching the simulated dogfight watches as the JASDF VF-1J tries to get on the tail of Archer’s USAF VF-1A and help out his wingman. The act is in vain though as Archer’s gunship grey veritech hammers the RAAF VF-1J with GU-11 fire, causing it break apart.

The VF-1A and VF-1J then engage each other...

Having taken out the Australian VF-1J (he wasn't sure which of the Aussies it was, but he or she flew well), Archer vectors to get on the other remaining VF-1J.

17:12, Today: Jack Archer rolled 32 using 1d100 with rolls of 32. Dogtail 93-15= 78%.
PASS

17:18, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 98 using 6d20 with rolls of 18,18,19,16,20,7.
17:18, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11.  Auto dodges +14.
17:20, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 59 using 7d20 with rolls of 3,4,14,10,10,4,14.  GU-11 short burst at target +6.
17:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 11 using 2d8 with rolls of 3,8.
17:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 6 using 2d8 with rolls of 3,3.
17:22, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 8 using 2d8 with rolls of 6,2.
17:21, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 9 using 2d8 with rolls of 2,7.

Action 1: MISS
Dodge: Unat 25
Action 2: MISS
Dodge: Unat 32
Action 3: Unat 20 (90 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 32
Action 4: Unat 16 (80 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 33
Action 5: Unat 16 (60 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 30
Action 6: MISS
Dodge: NAT 20
Action 7: Unat 20 (110 MDC)
Dodge: Unat 21

Archer is unable to hit his opponent, but his opponent has the same problem.

The two veritechs continue thier deadly ‘dance’.

In reply to Darkside Trooper (msg # 29):

Gun Ho had nothing to add at the time, seeing the Major, whom he assumed to be skipper, conferring with the CAG and evaluating the gunfight unfolding before them. Archer and the surviving pilot were very close in skill. He wondered if his wingman was dueling the pilot who killed him or his original opponent. The great thing about Veritechs was they were hard to hit, on the other hand, that was a disadvantage if you were dogfighting and trying to kill one.

Seeing this as an academic exercise more than anything, Gangnam checked the stores remaining for each pilot. They may soon be reduced to head lasers and spitballs without some more 55 mm. As the fight continued, Gangnam began to look at tactics each pilot used, what was successful, what was not. He contemplated hypotheticals, as if to say, "What if he did this instead of that?" A good dogfight, even a lost dogfight, provided it was a sim, is always a chance to learn.


[Private to Darkside Trooper: Actions: Give me a tactics roll, just to get a better angle IC on dogfighting and 3-mode combat.
16:10, Today: Gun Ho Pak rolled 18 using 1d100 ((18)). (PASS)]

Archer noticed that his GU-11 was running low on ammo. So to end things quick he alternated fire between his nose cannons and GU-11but took aim at the other veritech’s cockpit. He tried to get the head laser to link up with the nose cannons but it didn’t work.

06:27, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 41 using 3d20 with rolls of 12,18,11.  odd attacks GU-11 +6 .
06:27, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 36 using 3d20 with rolls of 10,11,15.  even attacks 20mm cannon +5.
06:25, Today: Secret Roll: Jack Archer rolled 71 using 7d20 with rolls of 16,14,4,9,3,14,11.  Auto dodges +14.
06:23, Today: Jack Archer rolled 88 using 1d100 with rolls of 88.  WPn Sys link cannon and head laser 85%.
06:06, Today: Jack Archer rolled 94 using 1d100 with rolls of 94.  Dogtail 93-15= 78%.

Action 1: WPN Sys: FAIL
Dodge: Unat 30
Action 2: Unat 12 (20mm, 60 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 28
Action 3: Unat 16 (GU-11, 130 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: FAIL
Action 4: Unat 13 (20mm, 50 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 23
Action 5: Unat 22 (GU-11, 170 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: FAIL
Action 6: Unat 17 (20mm, 60 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 28
Action 7: Unat 15 (GU-11, 60 MDC) @cockpit
Dodge: Unat 25

As Pak watches he realizes that his wing man is dueling with the pilot that killed him.

[Private to Gun Ho Pak: Although neither pilot is in guardian mode, it probably offers the best flexibility in space.]

Aksa watches in silence as Jack runs dry on 55mm, reverting back to the lackluster nose lasers. She rubs her chin and does some mental calculations.

"How many rounds did Ambrose have left in his pod when he was shot down?" She asks, already knowing the answer. [Private to GM: By my read, he only used one long burst before he stopped posting so, 20 rounds used out of 200 ]

The controller pulls up some data and confirms her number. "Ummm, lets see...180 rounds."

"Put the pod into the debris field of Ambrose's VF as in intractable item." She says then looks at Captain (Navy) Fokker. "Lets see if either of them notices." She says. "Before they decide to start throwing punches." She sasses with a wry smile tossing a little friendly shade in Pak's direction.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 33):

"Sure why not?"

Unable to get on each other’s six the two veritech continue to face off. Both seems to be either out of GU-11 ammo or seriously low. Archer alternates between his 20mm nose cannons and his GU-11. His opponent is now only firing his nose lasers.

Archer’s veritech is struck by some nose laser fire but it’s clear no real damage occurs. Then as his veritech is struck by more laser fire, a burst from his GU-11 scores a direct hit on his opponents cockpit. The big 55mm shells easily tear through the cockpit canopy, pilot compartment and nose of the VF-1J shredding it and literally chopping it off from the rest of the veritech.

At that point Archer’s ceases fire.

The simulator technician utters a profanity "Mother fucker" as he hand Fokker a 20 USD bill.

Archer get's out of his sim pod and makes his way to the control booth.

Aksa rubs the bridge of her nose and shakes her head. "Se siitä." She sighs.

"I'll stop by later to drop off your winnings." She says.

A grumbling Jack leaves the simulator clearly not pleased with the end results and after blinking in surprise in seeing both his former and current commander in the same room he snaps a salute.

"Ma'm, sorry for not a better result" he nods at his former commander with a tired smile. "Commander Fokker"

"No shame in it." Aksa says. "That's what the sims are for." She adds.

"That said..." She says, looking down at her tablet and donning her reading glasses, she swipes at the screen a bit, bringing up data leaving the room in awkward silence for a moment. She looks up and motions for Pak to join the group.

"First of all. Please welcome Captain Gun Ho Pak to the squadron, I'll introduce you formally at the next All Call." She says looking at Captain Pak.

She remains silent while the others do the whole 'welcome to the team' bit.

"Archer. Charging off on your own got your wing-man killed." She says flatly. "You've more combat experience then everyone in this room combined, excluding Captain Fokker." She notes. "You know better then to tear-ass off alone like that." She lets that sink in.

"Communication, you all need to talk more to each other. Ambrose, O'Neil, you could have set up a good double team on Archer. Pak, you should have told your wing-pair to get his ass back into formation. Archer, I didn't hear a peep from you, at all."

"O'Neil, I'm glad you learned to joys of the GU-11, sadly it was a bit to late. Had you opened with that instead of your flashlights things might have turned out differently." She notes dryly regards the early hit he'd scored with the lasers. Had that been a burst of 55mm...well.

"Pak. I thought Kamikaze attacks were a Japanese thing; who knew." She remarks sarcastically. "Head on at 2.6kps? Lets not see that again. Ever." She says looking over the rim of her glasses at Captain Pak.

"Ammunition." She says. "One of you ran dry, another came damn close. Keep your eye on that counter and if you find yourself in a situation, start looking for the exit. 'Discretion is the better part of Valor' isn't just a platitude; disengagement from a fight is sometimes the best choice."

She looks back down at her tablet and then removes her glasses and slips them into a pocket on her flights suits shoulder. "I think that about covers my critique. Good effort." She says. She makes a hand gesture indicating that the group can, and should, make their own comments and observations.

Archer attempted to validate his approach with his previous combat experience. "Ma'am I was making use of the more powerful engines I have. We did it all the time against the Iranians, and it worked. They guy in the Eff-fifteen would charge in while the guy in the Eff sixteen covered his six."

"In this case, my wingman stayed with me, performed a thatch weave, and got on the six of one our opponents."

"It wasn't until the individual engagements drifted apart did I stray from my wingman, and to be honest, all four of us are guilty of that."

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 40):

Roy decided to add his own observation, one that Major Tikkanen didn't have. "Y'all should try to go for weak points on the enemy craft, like say the engines, or the cockpit."

"The alien tri-thruster fighters are well armored, in fact the analysis from the few hulks we recovered show they are slightly more armored then a veritech. So try to put your cannon fire into their engines."

"Well Archer, we aren't fighting the Iranians out here now are we?" She retorts after Fokkers advice.

"And your tactic is predicated on a very key point. That your wing-man actually knows what the fuck you are trying to do." She says. "Which brings me back to 'Communication'. 'Not. A. Peep.'" She adds. "If you'd have coordinated it on your approach I'd be inclined to give you a pass, but you didn't." She then points at Pak.

"Just because your wing-man had the intuition to improvise on the fly and read your intent doesn't excuse you."

"As to your last point, you will find no disagreement from me on that." She huffs. She settles a bit. "Look, and this goes for everyone, those giants out there seem to fight in swarms, if you get separated they will swamp you. Situational awareness is key. Know where the enemy is but more important know where your ally is." She adds, the hard edge gone from her voice.

She then nods at Roy. "Thank you, I knew we'd captured a few samples, but I hadn't seen any reports filter down yet. It's appreciated." She says genuinely.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

"Welcome to the group, captain" Jack welcome and shake the mans hand if available with a smile.

"Yes, ma'm. The joy and horror of the GU, I will have a better look on it in the future" Jack awkwardly scratch his head. "The communication was a error from both of us I would guess, once the dog fighting began it was easier to focus on a single opponent and once I was done it was already to late to aid Lt. Ambrose"

In reply to Jack O'Neil (msg # 44):

"Yes ma'am," He said no more than that, clearly this guy was stoic and had little intention to say little more than that. He was very guarded, Tikkanen would notice. It might be English as a second language, but Gangnam was clearly a very disciplined warrior and a very tough nut to crack.

She was right about her criticisms. The flying tackle was ill-advised, though he was unsuccessful entirely with a gun pod. "Perhaps, Major, me being new to Valkyries, now would be a good time to institute a proficiency program with the GU-11. My marksmanship was poor. As fast as combat is, our computers can't keep up. It's going to require some training for me to gain skill with the weapon. As it is, the 27 mm in the nose is probably more accurate, even if it is half the size.

"Accuracy and weapons qualifications would help us achieve your objectives of targeting key weak areas, too, CAG. I could always try mounting a LANTIRN pod onto the GU, sort of an improvised Laser Aiming Module..." But that was neither here nor there. After making his brief observations, he was quiet again.

Looking at Gun Ho, even in a sweaty flight bag, his insignia was perfect, and his uniform was to the highest standard. Not in Irish pennant anywhere, or a patch askew, or even fraying around the elbows. The itself was black with red highlights, matching the Viper Squadron patch on his sleeve. Even with CAG wearing his hair shaggy, he still favored the old grooming standard, wearing his hair to old USAF regulation.

He smiled to the man greeting him returning the handshake with a surprisingly strong grip for a little guy. "O'Neil" according to his tag. "It is nice to meet you. You and your partner flew very well. Same for you, Mr. Archer. You had the hot ship, and I think I saw what you were doing setting up the weave. Congratulations on your two victories. May they all come so easily in the real world. And please, call me Gangnam."

"Sim time sim time sim time." She says regards Pak's broaching the subject of weapons training. "We'll get you in the box as often as we can. Same with live fire." She says.

Regards his suggestion she puts on her engineers hat and crunches the numbers in her head. "The GU-11 already has a laser targeting suite." She says simply, leaving it at that, knowing the LANTRIN system is far to large and unwieldy to be mounted on the GU-11.

"Your transfer orders will be cut and delivered shortly." She says to Pak. "Until then, our squadron area is in the Central Hull on the 8th floor and our hangers are on the left side of the ship, on the 1st floor."

She stows her tablet and thanks the techs for their work and assistance.

She nods to Captain (Navy) Fokker. "Thank you for your insight. We appreciate it." She says sincerely. Definitely adding that to our toolbox... she muses inwardly.

Making her way to the door she stops just before leaving, her hand on the door jam.

"When you see Levina and Jannsen next...try not be to surprised, or give them to much grief, about the rope." She says without turning around, then, she departs.

[Private to GM: I figure Roy saw and heard the issuance of the punishment from the control booth a little while earlier.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:13, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

In reply to Aksa Tikkanen (msg # 46):

Gangnam watched the woman depart and looked, offering but a shrug over to O'Neil. "I take it we are dismissed?"

At that, he packed his flight bag and headed to the locker for a quick shower. Dressing quickly afterwards, he waited for the other pilots for the squadron, determined to get to know them, and hopefully, make some new friends, given most of his former squadron was dead. "I hope it goes better for this lot than it did the last..."

When other pilots emerge, he smiled. "Hey, if there is nothing better to do, I need to buy my wingman a beer, and get one for the guy who killed me," he said congenially.